The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has hailed the improvements to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Prof. Amupitan made the remark on Saturday, 7th February 2026, while leading senior officials of the Commission to monitor a mock accreditation and voting exercise ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
Amupitan said the improvements have significantly enhanced the speed and reliability of voter accreditation, with the system completing accreditation in under five seconds during a mock exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, the exercise was conducted to test the improved BVAS and assess INEC’s readiness for the forthcoming election, stressing that the Commission would not use the main election as a testing ground for new or upgraded technology.
“We have improved on the BVAS, and we do not want to use the main election as a testing ground. This mock accreditation and mock voting exercise allows us to test and further improve the system,” he said.
The monitoring team included National Commissioners Mallam Mohammed Haruna and Alhaji Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusu; the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the FCT, Alhaji Aminu Kasimu Idris; the Administrative Secretary, INEC FCT, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye; the Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Prof. Ibrahim Sani; aides to the INEC Chairman, and other senior officials of the Commission.
The team visited selected polling units in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council, where they observed the accreditation process and overall conduct of the exercise.
Prof. Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the performance of the BVAS, noting that the device effectively prevented multiple accreditation attempts and functioned seamlessly throughout the exercise.
He also observed the ongoing Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programme for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), where he emphasized the need for strict adherence to the training manual to ensure uniformity in election conduct across all area councils.
“Your trainer is teaching you based on a manual that has been carefully prepared to guide the process and ensure uniformity. As SPOs, you already know your statutory duties,” he said, urging them to study the manual thoroughly.
The INEC Chairman explained that the training was aimed at refreshing existing knowledge and preparing SPOs for their critical roles, noting that they would also train other election officials ahead of the election.
He cautioned against compromise at any level, stressing the need for a stable and credible electoral system, and reiterated INEC’s commitment to restoring public confidence through continuous training, mock exercises and deployment of improved technology.
Prof. Amupitan noted the presence of political party agents during the exercise, adding that while civil society observers were not present, the exercise provided an opportunity to test preparedness and raise voter awareness.
On logistics, he confirmed that all non-sensitive materials had been deployed, while training for Presiding Officers would commence the following week. He reiterated that voter mobilization and campaigning remain the responsibility of political parties.
Commending election officials for their dedication despite modest remuneration, the INEC Chairman described their service as a sacrifice and a vital contribution to nation-building.
